How does one bring a leg of Italian prosciutto as part of luggage?

GIOVANNI50 - It's not that they don't get that it's basically the same product. It's that the whole leg, or whatever, is sealed and stamped, attesting to its compliance with U.S. import regulations.

Once that package has been opened, those seals are meaningless, voided. There could be contamination from any number of things from that point on. That's why, if you buy a whole, sealed, stamped "ham" and bring it on the plane, you cannot get the munchies and cut into it. If you do, you void the stamps/certifications, and it will be consfiscated. The same is true for any of the food products that have to be sealed and stamped.

So, if you buy some sliced prosciutto in a deli or market, that is open, unsealed, unstamped/uncertified, it will be confiscated. Eat that on the plane and save your whole leg for post customs. ;)

Lady Liberty. But it was mortadella.

Wasn't there a Sophia Loren movie in which she brings a ham from Italy as a present for her fiance' and has a major tussle with customs?

I got a response from CBP and it says ...
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Dear Giovanni,
The ham needs an Official Italian Health Inspection Certificate for Meat Products and an Italian Health Warranty Annex (there are several versions of the form). I hope this answer helps.

Mark
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Answer Title: Bringing meat, poultry or pork/swine products into the U.S.
Answer Link: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/944

Answer Title: Travelers bringing food into the U.S. for personal use
Answer Link: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82

Not to beat a dead pig, but refer to the manual! It is update regularly. Clearly, a tourist cannot just stuff a pig leg into his or her luggage and get it into the country. But there are approved manufacturers and certifications that do allow import if GIOVANNI50 is more serious than the rest of us. Look specifically at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/apm_pdf/03_13foreignmeatswine.pdf

You can't. I just was in line at customs 2 months ago and watched a search beagle find a prosciutto in someone's bag. It was confiscated immediately by the custom's agent.

Please do, I'll be very interested to know. In the past, pork products, open or closed have been a no-no. We have, however, brought back whole wheels of Pecorino Toscana a couple of times.

I will let everyone know when I get an answer. This is matter of life or death ... to the palate that is...

This info may be out of date, since the regs change with the speed of light, but one thing that never seems to change: the preserved meat, cheese, or whatever, must be intact. A friend was bringing a salume home in her carry-on, got the munchies on the flight, cut off a chunk. When she went through customs, it was confiscated and trashed because it was not intact. So, if you find you can do this, don't nibble!

In a great pair of Armani pants...SOOOO Sorry,but I just couldn't help myself!Have a great trip!

Here's the USDA animal product manual:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml

It may be permissible but you must remember that the agent you are reviewed by may not be familiar with the rules and regulation. If they confiscate by the time you appeal it us not going to be good anymore.

For personal use, I'm pretty sure if they find it, customs will confiscate pork products from your luggage. We were a little iffy on just bringing back cheese.

I would double check with Customs before you go. I live in Canada and the difference between US Customs and Canadian Customs is in the US they have guns! And, taking your leg of pork away is only the start of your problems...there is the strip search, put on the "list" for all your future travels, fines, etc. Don't risk it. Not only would I double check, but get it in writing.

The US changed the rules and beginning on 28 May the importation of certain salumi, and I believe this included prosciutto, became permissable. However, this affected commercial importation--I am not sure if it applies to travellers. but Giovanni, you live in the mid-Atlantic, don't you? we have many local producers and and butchers doing great things with meats. Why not support them and create a source near home?

Whooo...I don't think so. Importing meat products to the US via customs is a very tricky thing. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

I wouldn't risk the cost of it. Importers bring in meats and cheeses but travelers normally can't.